San Francisco Almshouse Burns, A Few Patients Lost

1908

FIRE IN ALMSHOUSE

Two Patients Frightened to Death and Another Dies Later

San Francisco, March 10 — One of the buildings of the city and county almshouse was burned this morning. In it when the fire broke out were 141 persons, mostly patients recently removed from the city and county hospital. So far as known all were removed in safety, though five are reported to have been injured. The almshouse is located near the Lake Honda reservoir of the Spring Valley Water company.

The fire broke out on the second floor at 9 o'clock this morning and is supposed to have been caused by a defective fuse. It quickly spread to the roof and the whole building was soon a mass of flames. Good work was done in removing the inmates to places of safety.

Three patients lost their lives. Two of these were old men, whose names are not known, who died from fright. Edward Korn, who had just undergone an operation, died soon after being taken from the burning building.

It was only by the most strenuous work that the aged people were saved. The nurses and attendants formed brigades and carried most of the old people from the building, as many of them, on account of their extreme age and their minds being dulled, refused to leave their rooms.

But one building was burned. The fire was caused by a defective chimney.

Deaf and Dumb, Insane 42 Years, Ends His Life

1913

ESCAPES ASYLUM BY SUICIDE

Pauper, Born Deaf and Dumb, Ends Long Life As Public Charge

BEACON, N. Y., Nov. 12 — Levi Bodine, deaf and dumb since his birth in an almshouse sixty-five years ago, committed suicide today by leaping into an ice pond of the Matteawan State Hospital, where he was an inmate. Forty-two years of his life had been spent in insane asylums. Bodine was born in the Ulster County almshouse and taken from there by a respectable farmer whom he later killed. At his trial he was declared insane and was committed to Auburn. He was one of the first patients to arrive in Matteawan when this hospital was opened.

—The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 13, 1913, page 15.

Daily Reflections

Pay Your Dog Tax - Next Monday is the day to pay your dog tax. City Clerk, W. B. Weed, will be at the town hall to receive the money. Thus far no dog catcher has been appointed, but in event owners of dogs do not comply with the borough ordinance there will doubtless be one appointed.

Mrs. Lott's Funeral - The funeral services of Mrs. W. H. Lott, who passed away Thursday at her home on Fifth street will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Both funeral services and interment will be private but friends of the family who so desire may call between now and Monday. The Rev. A. C. Drummond, pastor of the First Baptist church will conduct the services.

New Pastor Arrives - The Rev. A. C. Drummond, the newly elected pastor of the First Baptist church, with his wife, has arrived in the city and will preach his first sermon next Sunday morning. Rev. Drummond was pastor of one of the largest Baptist churches in Philadelphia and is very well spoken of and he will doubtless be cordially welcomed to Warren by the members of other congregations as well as his own.

Horse Ate Hat - One day recently a young matron of Smethport was out driving, dressed in the latest fashion of headgear which was adorned with a wisp of artificial oats. When some distance out in the country she got out either to tie the horse or adjust its bridle and while she was busy with a strap, the horse saw the oats and they looked so real that he proceeded to partake of a lunch. And now said young matron is mourning the loss of the aforesaid oats. The horse survived the oats and the lady's wrath.

Forest Co. Almshouse Afire - At the Forest County almshouse, situated three miles north of Tionesta, fire was discovered shortly after noon on Wednesday. It originated from an unknown cause in the chapel of the institution. This room is located on the third floor of the upright portion of the building. At either side of this upright there is a two story wing addition and if the fire had gained much headway at that point the whole building would have been destroyed. The loss is estimated at from $200 to $300, fully covered by insurance. None of the 12 inmates were injured.

--Warren Evening Mirror, Warren, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1909, page 4.